improv life: Stay Puft Marshmallow Man birthday cake

We are trying to be very real here, so let me show you this cake that my son and I made for his birthday party this weekend. He had some friends over for pizza and a viewing of “Ghostbusters.” We thought it would be hilarious to end the evening with a Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man cake (you’ve seen the movie, I’m assuming).

I work at a media brand that is known by millions for its crafty projects, and is especially beloved for its cute and clever cakes and cupcakes, which our stylists always decorate beautifully. In real life, I am klutzy as can be, and time allowed only for a rushed trip to the supermarket, a grab for the prefab frosting tubes, and a speeded-up decorating session. So you see the results (complete with camera blur as I quickly snapped a photo before the guests arrived).

Kids aren’t into perfection apparently, because our sloppy marshmallow man with his oversized grimace and gooey blue trimmings was greeted with huge enthusiasm. Of course, they each got to eat cake with a side of donut, and who could complain about that?